Supplied by dealer Crossroads Truck and Bus, the latest additions feature Schmidt spreaders and join the fleet of 23 Volvo trucks in the 150-strong vehicle operation. The FLs have 4.1m wheelbases and day cabs, steel leaf rear suspension and each can carry up to 10 tonnes of de-icing salt.
The vehicles have a D8K 7.7-litre, six-cylinder engine producing 250bhp at 2,100 rpm and up to 950Nm of torque, transmitted through a six-speed overdrive manual gearbox.
Nigel Crowther, director at The Gritting Company, says the Volvo FL’s reliability was key in his decision: “Many perceive us as the fourth emergency service when winter strikes, so reliability is absolutely crucial.”
“Our business is dedicated to gritting for local authorities and private sector clients such as supermarket chains, retail parks and factory premises,” he explains.
“We stock tens of thousands of tonnes of de-icing salt in Leeds and several thousand tonnes across several depots across the UK,” he adds. “I estimate that, over the course of an average winter, the new Volvo FLs will spread upwards of 750 tonnes of rock salt and each vehicle will cover in the region of 20,000km per annum.”
The chassis on the new trucks was wax-treated by Schmidt prior to the spreader body being built. The trucks are emptied after each trip and washed down. “Then, at the end of the season, we will give it a thorough wash down and grease parts and areas susceptible to corrosion, such as aluminium valves,” says Crowther.
The vehicles will only be used during the winter months, says Crowther, and the business expects to add two more new Volvo FLs each year.